How to Buy a French Horn

The glorious sound of the French horn is legendary. Choose one that will match the fantasies of your musical imagination.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine the amount of money you want to invest in a French horn. Use the maturity and experience of the student as a guideline.

2. Add in the cost of a strong case of wood or metal with plenty of internal protective padding.

3. Compare and evaluate the tone of a variety of instruments using your own mouthpiece. Use different lead pipes to reveal tonal variance.

4. Evaluate the ease of producing a pedal tone. This will reveal tonal resonance.

5. Determine the comfort and placement of the left hand relative to the four valve levers.

6. Produce a "rip" (see glossary) at various speeds from slow to fast. This will reveal the quality of the changes between "overtones." Listen for clarity.

7. Have a qualified listener help you evaluate tone quality.

8. Realize that bell construction and the nature of the bell or "flare" (how quickly and large the final opening becomes) vary with the manufacturer.

9. Purchase a strong case with a key or combination lock-latch to discourage those eager to experiment with a friend's instrument.

Tips & Warnings

• Take into consideration the ease of tone production.
• Tonal brilliance and penetration are sometimes desired for high range by the first horn in the orchestra. Taste is the determining factor.